One Fleet Feet reviewer says it feels stable and dependable, which is ideal for a shoe that’s meant to soak up the majority of your miles. The two-layer midsole—Fresh Foam and a proprietary EVA—remains the same, and the blown rubber outsole didn’t change. That means you can count on the same reliable, neutral ride in the new model as the previous one.

The revamped midsole remains the most notable improvement to the v12. While the Fresh Foam X was already present on the v11, adding a 2nd layer of FuelCell foam in the forefoot provides a greater energy return. The cushioning plays its full role with a soft landing followed by a smooth toe-off. A running shoe that fits well will be comfortable and snug without being too tight. Ideally, there should be about ½ to a full thumb width of space from the front of the shoe to your big toe, offering enough space to wiggle your toes freely without feeling too restricted or too loose. The right running shoe should feel like a natural extension of your body. How do you best wash running shoes? The New Balance 880 v11 has a mesh upper that gives average breathability. On a very hot day, my feet were very sweaty and the shoe was quite damp after. New Balance men’s running shoes are renowned for their sleek designs, lightweight materials and supreme cushioning. For something better suited to long-distance running, opt for the 880, which features a breathable mesh FantomFit upper with a no-sew overlay engineered for ultra-light support.

Men’s and women’s running trainers

The New Balance 880 line is a fan-favorite, dependable, daily trainer for good reason – and the 880v11 doesn’t disappoint. It’s run tester Brandon here! And I’m excited to share my New Balance 880v11 review. Spoiler alert! This is a high-quality shoe that can do everything, but I’ll get into all of that in my review.

Watch my full New Balance 880v11 review below or continue reading to learn more about this shoe’s performance, what I like best about it, and who it’s best for. New Balance 880v11 Review: Run Test Review

How Does the New Balance 880v11 Fit?

If you are a heel striker you will really like these shoes. The rear part of the sole has just the right cushion to allow the foot to strike then roll through the stride. I am usually a mid-foot striker, but due to a calf injury, I tested the shoe mostly with heel striking. Requires no adaptation period It’s no different in the 880v11. The pad of Fresh Foam beneath the heel and midfoot softens each step and leads into a smooth transition. Discover our selection of the best 2022 road running shoes. Comparisons – New Balance 880v12 vs.: New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v11 Looking at the outsole, the first thing I noticed was the ample blown rubber. All of this rubber provides excellent traction while on the run. I didn’t feel like I was going to slip on any surface. Having this much rubber will also help this shoe last a long time, which is a major plus. New Balance 880v10 Versus New Balance 880v11

The shoe is great for the bulk of your training days and could probably work for tempo, but you may want to go to a less cushy shoe for speed work. It’s personal preference really. Not for warm days Layered beneath the foam is a substantial amount of blown rubber. The outsole provides excellent traction on pavement, and it holds up to hundreds of miles of wear. The free-floating tongue adds to the shoe’s premium step-in feel. New Balance padded the tongue for a soft touch that molds to the unique shape of your foot. The upper is the highlight of this shoe for me personally,” he says. “The materials used and overall shape hugs my foot in all the right places. It makes the shoe fit like a natural extension of my body when running. It’s also breathable and allows plenty of toe splay.” The double-engineered Jacquard mesh upper is incredible. Not only is it soft and breathable, but it also provides the perfect amount of structure around my foot. It wasn’t too snug or too loose. It was just right, and that translated on the run. I wasn’t sliding out of my shoe, and I could go for miles and miles without my feet feeling constricted.Designed without compromise, New Balance running shoes are guaranteed to provide a responsive ride that fuels your run - in other words, get ready to feel faster-than-fast. Speed-seeking, breathable, conforming fit, optimal cushioning - New Balance has something for every run and every man. Since 2017, we have analyzed hundreds of road running shoes, and every month thousands of runners trust us to find the perfect pair!

As you can see from this complete analysis, there’s no revolution with this 12th version of the Fresh Foam 880, at most a shift in focus from the performance-oriented v11 to more comfort. So this shoe will win you over if you’re looking for a traditional road shoe with a softer and fairly bouncy ride for daily training. New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v12 New Balance shoes have been around for what feels like forever. Solid and dependable, the brand has a reputation for shoes that guarantee stable and steady performance. The brand’s latest daily trainer is no exception, offering a highly padded shoe designed for longer hauls and daily runs. Enter the New Balance 880 v11–available in a lovely robin’s egg blue color–that’s consistent across 5ks and (half-)marathons alike. Removing the plastic clip in the heel decreases stability at the rear. However, the wider platform compensates for this. The 880v11 rides like a dream. Seriously. My runs felt effortless and enjoyable. I credit much of this ride to the Fresh Foam X in the midsole. This foam is soft and responsive – making it perfect for everyday training. This shoe can do it all. I took it on short runs, long runs, and everything in between, and it held up well. Our speed running shoes are just as innovative, and are powered by REVlite cushioning and lightweight solid rubber outsoles. New Balance Running Shoes: The History

New Balance 880v11 Review: Run Test Review

New Balance also made a couple of changes to the heel counter. The first significant change: no more plastic surrounding the heel cup. Some runners found this extra rigidity to be off-putting, so they got rid of it. Instead, New Balance added a smaller plastic heel clip that gives a small amount of stability and isn’t intrusive. This is a major win in my book. Ready to elevate your run? New Balance is proud to present a line of carefully cultivated and mindfully crafted running shoes that are designed to protect, conform, endure, and outperform. No matter the run, no matter the terrain, no matter the goal, New Balance makes a running shoe that's guaranteed to provide lasting comfort and stability. You can take this shoe on short runs to long runs, and it performs. This is particularly helpful if you’re a new runner and aren’t sure what you like in running shoes yet. However, there’s also a reason this is a favorite among seasoned runners. It’s a no-frills, daily trainer that delivers. You can’t go wrong with the 880v11. My number one favorite feature is the Fresh Foam X in the midsole. Wow! It’s awesome. As I mentioned earlier, this shoe rides like a dream, and that’s all thanks to the Fresh Foam X. This foam is soft and comfortable – I felt like I was sinking into it, but it still has a responsiveness that compliments this shoe on the road. It’s just the perfect blend of soft and bouncy. I’m not sure how New Balance does it, but I’m glad they do. The Secure Fit from the Luxurious Upper